Reports and observations about life as an ex-pat family in Playa del Carmen Mexico from Michele and Rob Kinnon. Real Estate Playa del Carmen market updates and new listings of interest. Advise for other like minded adventurers planning to relocate to Playa del Carmen. Will include commentary and information on local schools, markets, recycling, environmental issues, volunteer opportunities, restaurant reviews and special events.

Spending a quiet evening at home with the kids last night I had plenty of time to sift through all of our photos from 2008 and do a bit of much needed reorganization. Judging from the many yearend comments on Facebook , it seems that most everyone is Read More...

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through la casa Not a creature was stirring, CARAMBA, Que Pasa? Los ninos were all tucked away in their camas Some in vestidos and some in pajamas While Mama worked late in her little cocina El Gordo was down Read More...

Still looking for the perfect Christmas present? - Price Reduced to just $209,000 usd - Margaritas II is a new development of privately owned condominium homes perfectly located just a 7 minute walk from the beach and 5 minutes to all the excitement of Read More...

Seasons Greetings "Life's a Beach" readers! Lavonna from Angel Notion is in need of 60 translators to help at the clinic in Nic te ha on December 24th at 8am. Please take a moment to read her personal message below. I hope we can find some Read More...

One of the advantages of having our children in both of the Waldorf Schools in Playa del Carmen is that we get to participate in two different festival schedules. El Papalote held their Posada for the preschool earlier this week and, last night, Ak Lu'um Read More...

Once again, Angel Notion is doing its annual Christmas toy and fund drive in Playa del Carmen. Four trees have been set up along 5 th Avenue and yours truly took at turn manning the tree last night with local Playa residents, Randy and Sherry. Santa himself Read More...

I received a letter! That's right. An actual legitimate piece of personal correspondence from outside of Mexico. This may not seem like such a big deal until you consider that this is only the third international postal item that has been delivered Read More...

Christmas for Mexicans, in traditional homes and rural areas, is a religious holiday. For better or worse, families in Playa del Carmen, Mexican or otherwise, seem to have adopted a decidedly “Americanized” version of this holiday. This year, Read More...

I can't believe it was one year ago today that I officially introduced "Life's a Beach" to the world and threw myself into the blogosphere. Truth be told, at the time, I had no interest in writing and my motivations for doing so were Read More...

One of our favorite peeps, Anna Lynne (Shammy) and her husband Chris celebrated their birthdays together last night at The Beer Bucket. This is Shammy's 4th Birthday Bash in Playa del Carmen and she was surrounded by lots of friends, old and new. Read More...

Friday night marked the re-opening of the bar at Mom's Hotel in Playa del Carmen. Our pal Jurgen has been working hard to get the old bar polished up and well stocked and ready to welcome guests of the hotel, Playa residents and visitors. Rob and Read More...

Since our last trip to The United States, a fabulous family Thankgiving and 60th birthday celebration for my MIL in Miami, I am even more appreciative of the affordability of our food staples and produce. Yesterday was Wednesday, the day where all the Read More...

Last night was the inauguration of "Bolister in The Blue", an evening of acoustic music and song from Playa favorite, the talented and charming Chris Bolister. Perched on a swing at the bar, surrounded by friends old and new, Chris entertained Read More...

Every year, we take a day to give Thanks. We thank our ancestors for their sacrifice and struggle culminating in the liberties we enjoy today. We give thanks for our families and friends and we take a moment to reflect on how truly fortunate we are. Of Read More...

Last night was the innaugural evening for this year's Paintings for Pets fundraiser hosted by Tony and Cheri Head of the famed Luna Blue Hotel in Playa del Carmen. Well loved, award winning artist Barry Launius generously offered to show and sell Read More...